AT THE MOVIES

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”

Rated PG; at area theaters; check for showtimes and ticket prices.

BY SARA MARK

Review: If you don't remember the details of the original “Madagascar,” don't worry – neither did I. After the first 10 minutes of the second film, which are solely devoted to going back in time, it will all come back to you. It is around these redundant 10 minutes, however, that the story revolves. Shedding light on the cubhood of Alex, the lion, the flashbacks explain how and why the “King of New York” ended up in the Central Park Zoo: He was taken away from his parents by hunters.

While the opening scene is rather dramatic, at least until Alex reaches the zoo, it is no more graphic or violent than any other children's movie. Once the current situation of the animals is touched upon, the story becomes rather predictable, but in no way is it boring. Finding themselves in Africa, the animals (Gloria the Hippo, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, as well as the penguins and the monkeys) are quick to blend in with their new surroundings, each identifying with a species.

Alex, as animated films will have it, reunites with his parents, but seeing as he has not gone through a rite of passage, he is not part of the pride yet. Thus, the story unravels. Will he be able to fit in or is someone out to make sure he doesn't? Filled with an abundance of jokes, although ones not necessarily aimed at an audience younger than 10, the film will have viewers crying and laughing.

At the same time, however, there are many lessons to be learned: Even if it doesn't seem like it, you are unique – and you should be proud of that. And you should never try to be someone else just to make others happy. With more substance, and more laughs, than its predecessor, this is the ideal movie for any audience. And if that's not enough they sing “Move It, Move It.”

My rating: A

ON THE RADIO

BY KELLY LIN

Review: Imagine being able to tune into more than 5,000 commercial-free radio stations covering a wide range of genres and styles, and being able to do so 24 hours a day from almost anywhere in the world. Welcome to the world of Internet radio. I decided to go on a mission of sorts, to scout out the most kid-friendly stations on the Web.

AOL Kidz Stuff – music.aol.com/radioguide/kids-radio

My tour of online radio stations begins at AOL's “Kidz Stuff!” a station featuring music for the 8-and-unders and toddler scene – the likes of Sesame Street, Kidz Bop and the ever-popular group The Wiggles. Although I wouldn't be caught dead with this style of music on my iPod, I still found the songs very entertaining because they caused me to reminisce on my happy days in diapers.

Radio Disney – radiodisney.com

Although the station occasionally spins country tunes and rap songs that are so G-rated they make Kanye West seem like the devil, its specialty lies in the energetic world of pop music. In this microcosm of all things sugary sweet, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers and the “Cheetalicious” Cheetah Girls are just a few of the notable names dominating the tween channel.

In addition to Disney pop stars, the station also includes mainstream artists like Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis and, most notably, David Archuleta, whose new song “Crush” currently sits at the top spot of the highly coveted “Radio Disney Top 30 Countdown!”

If you haven't been bitten by the love bug of tween pop music, Radio Disney has a couple of cool programs catering to you, too. One is “Team Green,” a really cool contest that recognizes kids who are working to make the environment “better for the future.” Another interesting part of the site worth mentioning is the “Cool Parent Challenge,” which lets parents determine their “coolness factor” by answering a series of pop culture questions.

Whether you like The Supremes or Sesame Street, in online radio there will be something for you.